South Australia Outlaws Anonymous Political Speech

Sabriel writes "If you're online in South Australia and want to comment about the upcoming state election, be prepared to hand over your real name and postcode first — because this month it becomes illegal to do so anonymously (even under a pseudonym). Media organizations must keep your details on file for six months and face 'fines of $5000 if they do not hand over this information to the Electoral Commissioner.' This abomination was passed with the support of both major parties (Labour and Liberal), and to quote its sponsor, Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, 'There is no impinging on freedom of speech, people are free to say what they wish as themselves, not as somebody else.' Apparently incapable of targeting a few impostors without resorting to 'nuke it from orbit' legislative tactics, Atkinson has forgotten that protecting anonymity is important to the democratic process; hopefully both major parties will get a reminder come the polls on March 20."

Comments

Re:Obligatory Soviet Russia joke:

[MindlessAutomata]

The Soviet constitution guaranteed freedom of speech.

And the potential for a one-way paid vacation to Siberia for a few lucky winners!

Re:Feh

[Pojut]

This is exactly what happened with firearms in that country. First, they made the citizens register all the weapons, then they forced them to give the weapons up. Some of the liberal jackasses that told firearm owners to "get real" and to deal with "living in a modern society" did not realize that the government would find a way to come after them next. Well, let this be a lesson to you gun-hating nut jobs. When the government decides that they are tired of you exercising your rights, they will take them away.

Disclaimer: I fully support second amendment rights, including the right for concealed carry for people that have a clean record. I myself own multiple firearms, and go to the range on a semi-regular basis.

Citing "your rights" as a reason to be a gun owner is a bit stupid, no offense. Sure, 100 years ago it could have made a huge difference were a revolution to ever take place, but at this point unless the military was entirely on the side of the people, a revolution would just be a footnote in history. The military has hardware that pisses all over anything a civilian would have nowadays, even legal or illegal.

Can't people just admit they enjoy shooting a gun?